Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi

12:08pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

GREEN seems to be every motorist's favourite colour these days. Last year tens of thousands of drivers decided to downsize', switching to a smaller car to save money and do their bit for the environment.

That's why the success of the latest Corsa is vital to Vauxhall. If the company is to keep pace with Ford in the battle to be Britain's most successful manufacturer, this model has to impress.

Although the Corsa can be had with four different petrol engine, downsizers are more likely to be interested in the 1.3-litre diesel.

It may have a modest capacity and a humble maximum power output (just 75bhp), but the little four-cylinder manages to sneak into the cheapest emissions band and can stretch a gallon more than 60 miles if you are careful.

And the Corsa has much more to offer than low running costs.

It may be small but it is both roomier and much better built than its predecessor - as well as just about every other car in the supermini class of 2008.

It is bigger than the old Corsa but no less suited to life in the urban jungle.

The steering is nice and light which makes the nip n' tuck of driving in congested city streets an effortless affair.

The clutch could have been a bit lighter - it's possible to graunch the gearbox if you haven't got the pedal full down - but the five-speed change is nice and positive. Reverse is selected by lifting a small switch beneath the gear knob, a good move because it prevents accidental selection when you are in a hurry.

Vauxhall's current generation of cars are genuine lookers.

The Corsa borrows design cues from its much admired big brother, the Astra, albeit with some cheeky charm of its own.

The body may be larger but it is still small enough to exploit gaps in traffic or squeeze into tight parking spots.

The real surprise, though, is the excellent ride quality.

The company discovered with the Vectra that what works in Europe doesn't translate well to British roads, which have their own unique properties.

As a result, Vauxhall carried out extensive development on the chassis at its engineering centre at Millbrook, in Bedfordshire, as well as Opel's dedicated proving ground in Germany. Brit Corsas have different suspension settings to their continental cousins.

The torsion beam rear axle is nothing hi-tech - although it does have three roll-rates - but careful tuning (plus low-friction suspension joints, an old Peugeot trick) has given the Corsa excellent bump absorption properties in town, where a car's suspension is pummelled by potholes, dips and badly patched surfaces.

Where the old Corsa would just crash its way over a poor road the new model soaks up the worst of it, effectively isolating the cabin from external disruptions.

There isn't a huge amount of power but the CDTi still has enough urge to nip past slower moving traffic, provided you are prepared to shift one or two gears.

There's a bit of engine noise from cold but refinement is good at speed.

Road and wind roar are well surpressed.

The 1.3 CDTi Corsa is by no means a sports model but the steering weights up nicely the faster you go and the chassis doesn't feel out of its element on B-roads or motorways.

None of this new-found dynamic excellence would be worth a jot if the Corsa didn't fulfil its design brief of being a flexible friend for a small family.

The rear seats fold down without needing the seat base to be pulled up first or the head restraints removed.

A novel double height floor creates a flat load space with a protected area for valuables and fragile parcels beneath.

Alternatively, the false floor can be lowered into the boot if you need to carry large items. The rear parcel shelf also unclips and can be stowed vertically against the seat backs for very tall items.

Overall the boot is about average for this class at 245 litres (530 with the seats down).

The interior follows in the tradition of the Astra, being good to look at and very well made.

There are a lot of different plastic textures (I counted five on the dashboard alone) but they don't jar too much and all the control surfaces (the bits you actually touch) are pleasant enough.

The three-dial instrument pack is very clear and easy to see at a glance but I always lament the lack of a real temperature gauge for the engine on a new car and the Corsa falls into the same trap.

Come on Vauxhall, an extra clock isn't going to break the bank!

There is plenty of room for a driver and three adult passengers. Getting settled into a comfortable position is simple enough thanks to a seat that adjusts for height and a twoway adjustable steering wheel. Even though our test car was a basic Club model it didn't feel particularly poverty stricken - there were no plastic blanks where switches are found on more expensive versions.

The equipment tally is just about right - electric front windows, power steering, CD/radio with an aux input for your MP3 player of choice - but don't be tempted to save a few quid and go for the cheaper Life model because the Club includes air conditioning.

The same amount of money also buys you the innovative Flex-Fix cycle carrier system - a frame that slides out of the rear bumper which can carry two bikes.

If you like to drive into the country for a relaxing cycle ride this has to be money well spent. By doing away with fiddly DIY carriers it also prevents paintwork damage and ensures you stay within the law when carrying your two-wheeled transportation.

Although the forward view out is good, chunky windscreen pillars can restrict your vision when pulling out of junctions.

Parking is a doddle thanks to a big rear windscreen and excellent mirrors.

A Corsa Club fivedoor costs £11,275, which is a few hundred more than the equivalent Fiesta and several hundred less than a VW Polo. Don't forget, the sticker price is just the opening gambit for sale negotiations - Vauxhall dealers are well known for their willingness to do a deal.

And if you do manage to get a great price you can relax in the knowledge that you're also getting a great supermini into the bargain. Going green has never been so much fun.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 1.3-litre turbocharged diesel
Max power: 75bhp
Max torque: 125ft/lb
0-60mph: 15.5 seconds
Top speed: 101mph
Av mpg: 61.4mpg
CO2: 119 g/km
Equipment: Electric front windows, CD/radio with aux socket, central locking, split/fold rear seats, curtain airbags.